Rinard Covered Bridge
Also known as: Hendershott`s Ford Bridge
Why it's listed
Spanning the Little Muskingum River in Ludlow Township near Marietta, this single-span wooden covered bridge carries county road 406 just east of SR 26. It was built about 1875 by the Smith Bridge Company of Toledo using the Smith patent truss. A later update gives 1876, a cost of $13.50 per lineal foot, and stonework by H.H. Townsend, and notes an earlier name, Hendershott's Ford Bridge. The bridge is 140 feet long with a 130-foot clear span, vertical board siding, a metal roof that replaced shingles, and cut-stone abutments. Steel cables were added later for strength. The present structure is the second covered span on the site; the first was reportedly swept away by floodwaters in 1874 or 1875. The bridge is regarded as a very good example of the Smith truss, only 15 of which remain in Ohio. It is one of three covered bridges of different truss types in the area. Local groups helped maintain the site, and the bridge has since been by-passed.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a very good example of the Smith truss, of which only 15 remain in Ohio. It is one of three covered spans of differing truss types over the Little Muskingum River east of SR 26. It is also a popular local landmark that area residents want preserved.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 76001546, listed October 8, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | NE of Marietta on SR 406, Marietta |
|---|---|
| County | Washington County |
| Listed | October 8, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001546 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Smith Bridge Company |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in fairly good condition in the 1976 form; a 1986 update says the bridge is now by-passed. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.53684, -81.22279 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 76001546.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q58904068
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.